Meeting Topic Is Building A Better Beach

THE SOUTH LAKE SENTINEL

CLERMONT — A public meeting is set to talk about a waterfront park spanning the beachfront that could one day become the focal point for a variety of recreational and special events.

The workshop to outline plans for development of the Lake Minneola Waterfront Park, from the County Road 561 bridge just past West Beach east to the Clermont-Minneola border, will be at 7 p.m. today at the Highlander Hut.

''We've hired Forest Michael (of Michael and Michael Associates) to do a conceptual plan for the entire waterfront area along Lake Minneola - not just Jaycee Beach,'' Clermont City Manager Wayne Saunders said.

He said the city wants to build the project in several phases.

The area is already slated for a pedestrian park and recreational trail that will cross through south Lake County. The trail, scheduled for completion in late 1995, will be financed through federal grants from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

''We've had some discussions about moving the road'' (Lakeshore Drive) to enlarge the beachfront, Saunders said.

Among other ideas under consideration for the waterfront park are:

A band shell or community events space for concerts and other lakefront activities.

Moving the boat ramp several blocks west to West Beach off 12th Street to allow further extension of the beach.